NSC Gateways (First-Year Experience) – Collectively, we have done tremendous work to provide students with life-changing experiences in areas that range from undergraduate research, to student support, to the learning spaces in our curricula.  However, despite a number of successful initiatives designed to improve the fortunes of first-year students, Nevada State College still lacks a dedicated First-Year Experience program.  As such, one of our foremost strategic goals is to design and implement an FYE program – tentatively called “NSC Gateways” – that unifies much of what we have learned about the success of NSC students, including important findings about learning communities, engaging classroom experiences, and proactive peer support. 

This initiative will invite feedback and participation from across campus, including areas such as the Career Center and all three of our academic schools.  This will take place in the coming weeks and months – led by Gregory Robinson and Gwen Sharp – but if you have any questions or suggestions in the meantime, please let us know.  In my efforts to focus our initiatives and stay within our available resources, I see this as one area where we can start small, build effectively over time, and ultimately do something exceptional for our students.

Climate Survey – When we discussed the results and implications of the 2016 Climate Survey at our Spring Faculty & Staff Development session, I noted that it was merely the start of a conversation about these critical issues.  In the next several weeks, the Provost’s office is going to create opportunities to continue this conversation as we strive to build on our strengths and begin overcoming the challenges we face as an institution.  I will begin by dialoguing with academic leaders who report directly to this office, but will work to ensure that the process can be inclusive of all faculty and staff at the College.  If you have questions or input regarding this effort, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.